Object transport apparatus, drive mechanism for object transport apparatus and method of using object transport apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cable transport apparatus ( 1 ) has a first rotational axis ( 20   a   , 20   c ) and a second rotational axis ( 20   b   , 20   d ) that are not in parallel but cross each other with a predetermined angle therebetween. In this way, a V-shaped space is formed between transport belts ( 40   a   , 40   b ). The cable transport apparatus ( 1 ) can thus transport a thin cable ( 100 ) being in contact with the lower part of the V-shaped space and transport a thick cable ( 200 ) being in contact with the upper part thereof. Even if cables to be transported have respective successively increasing diameters, such cables can be transported using the same apparatus. Further, the cables never escape from the cable transport apparatus and can be transported without lowering the transport speed of the cables.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatuses for transporting objectsand particularly to an object transport apparatus used for transportingobjects with their cross sections different in size from each other.

BACKGROUND ART

A cable transport apparatus 101 as shown in FIGS. 24-26 has beenemployed for installing an electric cable by using a temporary overheadcable or for installing an electric cable in an underground pipe. Thiscable transport apparatus 101 is used as shown in FIG. 23 by beingmounted on a support platform 210 that is placed on the lower part of autility pole 160.

According to a method of using this cable transport apparatus 101 on aninstallation site, an electric cable 200 is transported by beingsuccessively fed to the left in FIG. 23 by cable transport apparatus 101to the extent that tension is generated on electric cable 200 whileelectric cable 200 is hung on rings 180 provided on a temporarilyinstalled overhead cable 170 that is suspended on respective top partsof poles 160. Then, electric cable 200 is removed from a pulley 220 whencable transport apparatus 101 causes electric cable 200 to fall in astate of tension, and this cable transport apparatus 101 is further usedto successively feed electric cable 200 to the left by using a next pole(located further to the left of FIG. 23). This operation is repeated foreach pole to accordingly install electric cable 200 on each pole. It isnoted that a cable transport apparatus 2 used in a second embodiment ofthe present invention is employed in FIG. 23.

A structure of this cable transport apparatus 101 is now described inconjunction with FIGS. 24 and 25. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, cabletransport apparatus 101 is constructed of a pedestal 110 and a transportunit 105. A power unit is provided within pedestal 110. Further,transport unit 105 has rotational axes 120 a, 120 b, 120 c and 120 d ona main surface of pedestal 110. Around rotational axes 120 a, 120 b, 120c and 120 d, there are provided wheels 125 a, 125 b, 125 c and 125 d forconveying turning forces of rotational axes 120 a, 120 b, 120 c and 120d and transport belts 140 a and 140 b for conveying turning forces ofrotating wheels 125 a, 125 b, 125 c and 125 d by means of frictionalforces on the peripheries of wheels 125 a, 125 b, 125 c and 125 d.

In use of cable transport apparatus 101, a turning force of a motorcauses wheels 125 a and 125 b to rotate about respective rotational axes120 a and 120 b in opposite directions respectively. At this time,respective turning forces of wheels 125 a and 125 b are conveyed fromthe peripheries of wheels 125 a and 125 b to transport belts 140 a and140 b respectively, and transport belts 140 a and 140 b then circulaterespectively around wheels 125 a and 125 c and 125 b and 125 d.Frictional forces on the surface of circulating transport belts 140 aand 140 b feed electric cable 200 shown in FIG. 23 in the direction oftransportation. At this time, wheels 125 c and 125 a rotate in the samedirection while wheels 125 d and 125 b rotate in the same direction.Wheels 125 b and 125 d rotate in directions opposite to each other toassist transport belts 140 a and 140 b in circulating in oppositedirections respectively.

A cable transport apparatus 102 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is anothercable transport apparatus having a transport unit structured differentlyfrom that of the above cable transport apparatus 101. Cable transportapparatus 102 includes as its transport unit spherical wheels 225 a and225 b provided around rotational axes 220 a and 220 b as shown in FIGS.27 and 28 on the main surface of pedestal 110 shown in FIG. 24 forconveying the turning force of the power unit. Spherical wheels 225 aand 225 b are formed of rubber containing therein air or the like, withtheir peripheral surfaces deformable according to the diameter of anelectric cable. The electric cable is fed in a certain direction by africtional force between spherical wheels 225 a and 225 b and theelectric cable.

As for cable transport apparatus 101 shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, thedistance W1 between rotational axes 120 a and 120 b and the distance W1between rotational axes 120 c and 120 d are constant and thus the gap W2between transport belts 140 a and 140 b is also constant. Therefore, ifboth of a thin cable 100 and a thick cable 200 are used simultaneously,cable transport apparatuses 101 should separately be prepared to beavailable all the time for respective thin cable 100 and thick cable 200in order to employ the apparatuses according to need on an installationsite.

If only one cable transport apparatus 101 is used for both of thin cable100 and thick cable 200, cable transport apparatus 101 should haveanother mechanism capable of changing the distance W1 between rotationalaxes 120 a and 120 b and between axes 120 c and 120 d.

If the diameter of thin cable 100 is smaller than the distance W2between transport belts 140 a and 140 b, thin cable 100 could deviate inthe direction of the arrows as shown in FIG. 25. Consequently, cable 100could meander up and down between transport belts 140 a and 140 b asshown in FIG. 26 which results in a lower transport speed.Alternatively, if thin cable 100 significantly deviates in the directionof the arrow, thin cable 100 would escape from the part betweentransport belts 140 a and 140 b.

For installation of a thick electric cable, usually a thin rope is firstinstalled temporarily for drawing the thick cable to be installedactually, and the thick cable 200 is pulled via an adapter on the end ofthe rope having both ends to which respective ends of the rope and thecable with different diameters can be attached, the adapter having itsdiameter changing continuously. In this case, cable transport apparatus101 should temporarily be stopped for replacing it with another cabletransport apparatus having a greater distance between transport belts140 a and 140 bon the installation site. Such a replacement of cabletransport apparatus 101 on the installation site is laborious anddeteriorates working efficiency.

Cable transport apparatus 102 shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is employed asone conventional art for solving the problem above. Cable transportapparatus 102 includes spherical wheels 225 a and 225 b that deformaccording to the diameter of thin cable 100 and thick cable 200 in orderto allow both of thin cable 100 and thick cable 200 to successively befed without changing the distance W3 between rotational axes 220 a and220 b, i.e., without employing another cable transport apparatus, andwithout employing any mechanism for changing the distance betweenrotational axes 220 a and 220 b.

Although this cable transport apparatus 102 can transport an object orcable according to the diameter of the cable if the diameter is in apredetermined range, an extremely thin cable 100 could deviate in thedirections indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. 27 because of theball-like shape of spherical wheels 225 a and 225 b, so that cable 100escapes from spherical wheels 225 a and 225 b. On the other hand, ifcable 200 is thick enough to dramatically change the shape of sphericalwheels 225 a and 225 b, spherical wheels 225 a and 225 b deform greatlyto increase rotational resistance that hinders rotation of sphericalwheels 225 a and 225 b. Consequently, the feeding speed of thick cabledecreases. In order to reduce the rotational resistance, anothermechanism should be provided for changing the distance W3 betweenrotational axes 220 a and 220 b as employed by cable transport apparatus101.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made to solve the problems above. One object ofthe present invention is to provide a cable transport apparatus forelectric cables and the like, which can be applied to the case in whichboth of thin and thick electric cables are successively used, withoutthe trouble of replacement of the apparatus on site and without escapeof electric cables from the cable transport apparatus, and which cantransport cables without reduction in cable transport speed.

An object transport apparatus according to one aspect of the inventiontransports an object by keeping contact with a part of the peripheralsurface of the object and using frictional force between respectiveperipheral surfaces of at least two rotating transport members and thepart of the peripheral surface of the object. The object transportapparatus includes the structure below.

Specifically, the object transport apparatus according to the one aspectof the invention includes a pedestal having continuing first and secondsurfaces with a predetermined angle therebetween, transport unitprovided on the first and second surfaces respectively and keepingcontact with a part of the peripheral surface of an object fortransporting the object, and drive means for rotationally driving thetransport unit in an object transport direction.

The transport unit includes first power transmission means having aplurality of first cylindrical members rotating about a plurality ofrotational axes respectively that are substantially perpendicular to thefirst surface and in parallel with each other, second power transmissionmeans having a plurality of second cylindrical members rotating about aplurality of rotational axes respectively that are substantiallyperpendicular to the second surface and in parallel with each other, andfirst and second belt-like transport members contacting or windingaround respective peripheral surfaces of the first and secondcylindrical members of respective first and second power transmissionmeans to circulate respectively around the first and second powertransmission means.

This structure allows the rotational axes to cross at a predeterminedangle so that the first and second power transmission means form aV-shaped space between the first and second belt-like transport members.Accordingly, an object to be transported having a small diameter can betransported by keeping contact with the lower part of the V-shape and anobject to be transported having a large diameter can be transported bykeeping contact with the upper part of the V-shape, both of the objectsbeing transported by frictional force generated between the objects andthe first and second belt-like transport members. In this way, just thedifference in dimension between the upper and lower parts of the V-shapecan be increased for consecutively transporting objects havingrespective diameters ranging from smaller one to larger one, withoutaddition of another mechanism and without replacement of the objecttransport apparatus.

Not only the first and second power transmission means but the first andsecond belt-like transport members are provided to increase the contactarea with the object. The frictional force between the object and thefirst and second belt-like transport members is thus increased.Consequently, there is less possibility of idle rotation of the firstand second power transmission means and thus the object can betransported in a more stable state.

More preferably, in the object transport apparatus according to the oneaspect of the invention, the first belt-like transport member has oneside, on the pedestal, of a transport surface contacting the object andthe second belt-like member has one side, on the pedestal, of atransport surface contacting the object, respective one sides being inparallel and adjacent to each other.

This structure provides a reduced width of the gap between the first andsecond belt-like transport members, on the pedestal, in the V-shapedspace formed by the first and second belt-like transport members.Accordingly, even if the object has a small diameter, the object can beprevented from escaping from the gap during transportation.

A cable transport apparatus according to another aspect of the inventiontransports an object by keeping contact with a part of the peripheralsurface of the object and using frictional force between respectiveperipheral surfaces of at least two rotating transport members and thepart of the peripheral surface of the object. The object transportapparatus includes the structure below.

Specifically, the cable transport apparatus according to the anotheraspect of the invention includes a pedestal having continuing first andsecond surfaces with a predetermined angle therebetween, transport unitprovided on the first and second surfaces respectively and keepingcontact with a part of the peripheral surface of an object fortransporting the object, and drive means for rotationally driving thetransport unit in an object transport direction.

The transport unit includes first power transmission means having afirst cylindrical member rotating about a first rotational axissubstantially perpendicular to the first surface, and second powertransmission means having a second cylindrical member rotating about asecond rotational axis crossing the first rotational axis andsubstantially perpendicular to the second surface.

This structure allows the first and second rotational axes to cross eachother and thus form a V-shaped space between the first and second powertransmission means. An object having a small diameter can be transportedby keeping contact with the lower part of the V-shape and an objecthaving a large diameter can be transported by keeping contact with theupper part of the V-shape. In this way, just the difference in dimensionbetween the upper and lower parts of the V-shaped space can be increasedfor successively transporting objects having respective diametersranging from smaller one to larger one, without additional mechanism andwithout replacement of the object transport apparatus.

More preferably, in the object transport apparatus according to theanother aspect of the invention, the first cylindrical member as acomponent of the first power transmission means has one edge portion, onthe pedestal, and the second cylindrical member as a component of thesecond power transmission means has one edge portion, on the pedestal,respective edge portions being adjacent to each other.

This structure provides a reduced gap on the pedestal between the firstcylindrical transport member and the second cylindrical transport memberin the V-shaped space formed by the first and second cylindricaltransport members. It is thus possible to prevent an object beingtransported from escaping from the gap during transport even if theobject has a small diameter.

The object transport apparatus according to the one aspect of theinvention may further include object press means having a thirdcylindrical transport member with its peripheral surface pressing atransported object, the third cylindrical transport member beingprovided to be rotatable following transport of the object.

This structure has the object press means so that the object can be heldwithout upward displacement in transport. At this time, the object pressmeans rotates following the transport of the object and thus there is noremarkable reduction in cable transport speed. Even if the cabletransport speed increases and the cable weaves in the V-shaped space,escape can be prevented of the cable from the V-shaped space between thefirst and second belt-like transport members. Stable transportation ofan object is thus possible even if the transport speed of the objectincreases.

Still more preferably, the object transport apparatus according to theone aspect of the invention includes a plurality of object press meansprovided along a transport direction of an object.

This structure having a plurality of object press means enables anobject to be transported more stably compared with the structure havingone object press means.

Further, the object transport apparatus according to the one aspect ofthe invention preferably has the object press means including a supportunit fixed to the pedestal and a press unit provided to turn around onone end of the support unit. The press unit can recede for stopping thepress by being turned around.

In this structure, the press unit provided to turn around on one end ofthe support unit can recede for stopping the press. Therefore, intransport, loading and unloading of the object to and from the objecttransport apparatus is facilitated. The time required for installationon the site can accordingly be shortened.

The object transport apparatus according to the one aspect of theinvention may have the object press means further including an externalthread portion and an internal thread portion such that adjustment ofthe length of the external thread portion screwed into the internalthread portion allows the press unit to contact the object with analmost constant pressure.

In this structure, the object press means has the external threadportion which can be screwed into the internal thread to adjust thescrewed length. Therefore, objects having respective diameters rangingfrom a smaller one to a larger one can be handled without replacement ofthe means. Consequently, reduction in installation time on the site ispossible.

The object transport apparatus according to the one aspect of theinvention may further include a third belt-like transport membercirculating around the third cylindrical member following transport ofthe object while winding around or contacting the third cylindricalmember.

The third belt-like transport member provided around the thirdcylindrical member allows the area of contact between the transportedobject and the object press means to achieve more stable transport ofthe object.

The drive mechanism of the object transport apparatus according to theinvention includes a first spur gear and a first bevel gear rotatingabout a common rotational axis by a drive force, a second bevel gearengaging with the first bevel gear, a second spur gear engaging with thefirst spur gear, a third bevel gear rotating integrally about arotational axis common to the second spur gear, and a fourth bevel gearengaging with the third bevel gear.

In this structure, the drive force causes the first spur gear to rotatewhich rotates the first bevel gear in the same direction, which is fixedby one shaft to the first spur gear, and accordingly the second bevelgear rotates. The second spur gear rotates in the direction opposite tothe rotational direction of the first spur gear, and accordingly thethird bevel gear rotates in the direction opposite to the rotationaldirection of the first bevel gear. Then, the fourth bevel gear rotates.Consequently, the second and fourth bevel gears rotate in the oppositedirections respectively, in the state in which respective rotationalaxes of the first and second bevel gears cross each other with apredetermined angle therebetween in a plane perpendicular to therotational axes of the first and the second spur gears and the first andsecond bevel gears, if the angle of inclination of the employed bevelgears is 45°. In this way, the V-shaped space can be formed between thefirst and second power transmission means respectively having the firstand second cylindrical members rotating about respective rotational axesof the second and fourth bevel gears. It is thus possible tosuccessively transport small-diameter and large-diameter objects byholding the objects in the V-shaped space.

According to a method of using the object transport apparatus of theinvention, the object transport apparatus of the one aspect of theinvention discussed above is used by moving the apparatus up and downalong a long pole-like object standing substantially perpendicularly tothe ground. The object transport apparatus holds the long object with apredetermined press force at three portions, i.e., by the first andsecond belt-like transport members and the object press means, and thedrive means is rotationally driven to move the object transportapparatus up and down along the long object by frictional force betweenthe first and second belt-like members and the object press means andthe long object.

The object transport apparatus according to the one aspect of theinvention is used by such a method to enable the object transportapparatus to move up and down along an object to be transported, by thefrictional force between the first and second cylindrical transportmembers or the first and second belt-like transport members and theobject. Electric cable, safety rope, tools and the like, for example,can thus be conveyed to the top of a pole without human force.

According to a method of using the object transport apparatus of theinvention, two object transport apparatuses of the type according to theone aspect of the invention may be used. The two object transportapparatuses are made opposite to each other such that respective sidescontacting a transported object face each other, each side belonging tothe first and second belt-like transport members. The object transportapparatuses are moved up and down along a long pole-like object standingperpendicularly to the ground by holding the long object between thefirst and second belt-like transport members of the two object transportapparatuses and rotationally driving the drive means to use frictionalforce of the transport members for moving the object transportapparatuses.

By this method of using the object transport apparatus according to thefirst aspect of the invention, the frictional force between thetransported object and the first and second cylindrical transportmembers or the first and second belt-like transport members of theobject transport apparatus can be used to move the object transportapparatus up and down along the long object. Cable, safety rope, toolsand the like, for example, can thus be conveyed to the top of a polewithout human force. In addition, two object transport apparatuses canbe used to allow respective first and second cylindrical transportmembers or the first and second belt-like transport members to contactthe transported object and thus the frictional force is increasedcompared with the contact of the three point, i.e., the object pressmeans and the first and second cylindrical transport members or thefirst and second belt-like transport members. Therefore, even an objecthaving a great weight can be moved up and down along the long object.

According to the method of using the object transport apparatus of theinvention, in addition to the object transport apparatus of the firstaspect of the invention, another object transport apparatus having thestructure of that object transport apparatus of the first aspect may beused such that the object transport apparatuses are fixed withrespective transport directions of the transport units beingsubstantially perpendicular to each other and accordingly the anotherobject transport apparatus transports an object substantiallyperpendicularly to the long object.

This method of use can be employed to move the object transportapparatus to the upper part of the long object and then transport anobject substantially perpendicularly to the long object. In this way, acable or the like can be installed, for example, on each pole by liftingthe cable to the top of the pole and then transporting the cableperpendicularly to the pole. It is thus unnecessary for a personcarrying a cable to climb to the top of the pole in order to install thecable.

More preferably, according to the method of using the object transportapparatus of the invention, the ratio between respective rotationalspeeds of the first and second power transmission means is changed tomove the object transport apparatus in a helical manner up and downalong the long object.

This method of use enables a rope or cable to be wound helically aroundthe long object. A rope or the like can helically be wound around a poleor the like, for example, in order to prevent the rope from swaying dueto blowing wind.

The above and other objects, characteristics, aspects and advantages ofthe present invention will become clear from the following detaileddescription of the invention understood in conjunction with the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an object transport apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the object transport apparatus according to thefirst embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the object transport apparatus according tothe first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section along A—A of the cross section in FIG. 2 ofthe object transport apparatus according to the first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a drive unit from below of the object transport apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows one example of the state in which the object transportapparatus is used according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an object transport apparatus transporting asmall-diameter cable according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the object transport apparatus transporting alarge-diameter cable according to the second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the object transport apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the object transport apparatus having atransport belt around a cable support unit according to the secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the object transport apparatus having thesupport unit for pressing a cable, the support unit being opened forremoving the cable according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment secured in use to a pole accordingto the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows an object transport apparatus according to a thirdembodiment of the invention for explaining a method of using theapparatus by securing the apparatus to a large-diameter pole, theapparatus being viewed in a cross section of the pole.

FIG. 14 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the invention for explaining a method of using theapparatus by securing the apparatus to a small-diameter pole, theapparatus being viewed in a cross section of the pole.

FIG. 15 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatus, the apparatusclimbing up a pole while pulling a safety rope.

FIG. 16 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatus, the apparatusclimbing up a pole having its diameter decreasing toward its head.

FIG. 17 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatus, the apparatusclimbing up along a pole while holding a cable perpendicularly to thepole.

FIG. 18 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatus, the apparatusclimbing up along a pole to its head while holding a cableperpendicularly to the cable.

FIG. 19 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatus, the apparatustransporting a basket to the head of a pole.

FIG. 20 shows the object transport apparatus according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatus, the apparatusclimbing up a pole in a spiral manner.

FIG. 21 shows object transport apparatuses according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatuses, two objecttransport apparatuses being used to climb up a pole, and the apparatusesviewed in a cross section of the pole.

FIG. 22 shows object transport apparatuses according to the thirdembodiment for explaining a method of using the apparatuses, two objecttransport apparatuses being used for transporting a person to the top ofa pole.

FIG. 23 shows the object transport apparatuses according to the secondembodiment for explaining a conventional method of using the apparatusbeing provided on a pole.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a conventional object transportapparatus.

FIG. 25 is a front view of the conventional object transport apparatus.

FIG. 26 shows an operation of a cable in transport belts of theconventional object transport apparatus.

FIG. 27 shows another conventional object transport apparatus forexplaining the state in which spherical wheels transport a thin cable.

FIG. 28 shows the another conventional object transport apparatus forexplaining the state in which spherical wheels transport a thick cable.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described inconjunction with the drawings.

First Embodiment

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a structure ofan object transport apparatus 1 used for transporting a cable isdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6. Object transport apparatus 1 isconstituted as shown in FIGS. 1-5 of a pedestal 10, a transport unit 5and a drive unit 7.

Pedestal 10 is provided having surfaces 15 a and 15 b that continue toform the shape of chevron with a predetermined angle therebetween.Wheels 25 a and 25 c of transport unit 5 are provided on surface 15 awith respective rotational axes 20 a and 20 c substantiallyperpendicular to surface 15 a. Wheels 25 b and 25 d of transport unit 5are also provided on surface 15 b with respective rotational axes 20 band 20 d substantially perpendicular to surface 15 b. Rotational axes 20a and 20 c are in parallel with each other and rotational axes 20 b and20 d are in parallel with each other. Accordingly, rotational axes 20 aand 20 b as well as rotational axes 20 c and 20 d are formed to have acertain V-shaped space therebetween. Wheels 25 a, 25 b, 25 c and 25 dare provided around rotational axes 20 a, 20 b, 20 c and 20 d. Aroundwheels 25 a, 25 b, 25 c and 25 d, there are provided transport belts 40a and 40 b for conveying turning forces by frictional forces onperipheral surfaces of wheels 25 a and 25 c and wheels 25 b and 25 d.Transport belts 40 a and 40 b have respective sides on pedestal 10 thatare provided in parallel and adjacently to each other.

Drive unit 7 includes as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 a spur gear 18 caused torotate by a drive force of a motor 7 a transmitted by a shaft 7 b, aspur gear 16 engaging with spur gear 18, a spur gear 14 b and a bevelgear 12 b provided on one shaft to share the rotational axis with spurgear 16, a bevel gear 22 b engaging with bevel gear 12 b, a spur gear 14a engaging with spur gear 14 b, a bevel gear 12 a provided on one shaftto share the rotational axis with spur gear 14 a, and a bevel gear 22 aengaging with bevel gear 12 a. Respective inclined parts of bevel gears12 a, 12 b, 22 a and 22 b each form an angle of 45° with respect to therotational axis, so that shaft 7 b of motor 7 a as well as respectiverotational axes of spur gears 14 a and 14 b and bevel gears 12 a and 12b cross at right angles the plane formed by rotational axes 20 a and 20b.

In use of object transport apparatus 1, a turning force of motor 7 aconstituting drive unit 7 shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted via shaft 7 bto spur gear 18, and spur gear 16 then rotates in the direction oppositeto the rotational direction of spur gear 18. Accordingly, spur gear 14 band bevel gear 12 b fastened to spur gear 16 with the common shaftrotate in the same direction as the rotational direction of spur gear16. Bevel gear 22 b and spur gear 14 a thus rotate. Further, bevel gear12 a sharing the rotational axis with spur gear 14 a rotates in the samedirection as the rotational direction of spur gear 14 a, which causesbevel gear 22 a to rotate. Bevel gear 22 a and bevel gear 22 baccordingly rotate about respective rotational axes 20 a and 20 b in theopposite directions respectively. In this way, turning forces ofrotational axes 20 a and 20 b are conveyed to wheels 25 a and 25 b andthen turning forces of wheels 25 a and 25 b are conveyed by frictionalforce to transport belts 40 a and 40 b, so that cable 200 is fed in thetransport direction as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, wheel 25 c rotatesidentically in direction with wheel 25 a, and wheel 25 d rotatesidentically in direction with wheel 25 b to assist transport belts 40 aand 40 b to circulate. In addition, a plurality of auxiliary wheels 35are provided with respective rotational axes in parallel for preventingtransport belts 40 a and 40 b from becoming loose, and rotate accordingto circulation of transport belts 40 a and 40 b.

In this object transport apparatus 1, rotational axes 20 a and 20 c androtational axes 20 b and 20 d are not in parallel but provided to crosseach other so that the space formed between transport belts 40 a and 40b has the V-shape. In this V-shaped space, as shown in FIG. 3, thincable 100 is transported being fit in the lower part of the space whilethick cable 200 is transported being fit in the upper part thereof. Evenif both of thin cable 100 and thick cable 200 are to be usedsuccessively, it is possible to transport the cables by this objecttransport apparatus 1 only without employing another object transportapparatus nor another mechanism.

The V-shaped space between transport belts 40 a and 40 b allows both ofthin cable 100 and thick cable 200 to be fed without shifting upward ordownward owing to the action of gravity which exerts only a downwardlypulling force thereon. Auxiliary wheels 35 provided to prevent looseningof transport belts 40 a and 40 b allow the area of contact as well ascomponents of force of contact between transport belts 40 a and 40 b anda cable to approximately be constant. Cables 100 and 200 havingdifferent diameters can thus be fed successively without escaping fromobject transport apparatus 1 and without lowering the feeding rate.

If the cable is thick, object transport apparatuses 1 can be used asshown in FIG. 6 to hold cable 200 therebetween from the top and bottomso as to transport the cable in more stable manner.

Regarding drive unit 7 of object transport apparatus according to thisembodiment, bevel gears 22 a and 22 b can have respective rotationalaxes 20 a and 20 b crossing with a predetermined angle therebetween in aplane perpendicular to the rotational axes of spur gears 14 a, 14 b, 16and 18 and bevel gears 12 a and 12 b. In this way, the V-shaped spacecan be formed between wheels 25 a and 25 b provided on respectiverotational axes 20 a and 20 b of bevel gears 22 a and 22 b. Successiveuse of the apparatus is thus possible without adjusting positions ofrotational axes 20 a, 20 b, 20 c and 20 d even if the diameter of cablesconsiderably changes.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention is now described inconjunction with FIGS. 7-12. An object transport apparatus 2 accordingto this embodiment includes a cable support unit 8 in addition tocomponents of object transport apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1-5. Objecttransport apparatus 2 includes a stationary section 59 provided on asurface 15 a of a pedestal 10. A stationary section 56 is furtherprovided on a surface 15 b of pedestal 10. A movable section 57 isprovided on the leading end of stationary section 56 such that movablesection 57 can turn on an axis of turn 58. A press wheel 55 for pressinga cable from the above is provided to rotate around a rotational axis54, and rotational axis 54 is detachably supported by supporting section53. An external thread 52 is provided on the upper portion of supportingsection 53 for moving supporting section 53 downward, and this externalthread 52 passing through an internal thread provided in movable section57 has a manual rotate section 51 on its end.

When object transport apparatus 2 is used, manual rotate section 51 isrotated to screw external thread 52 downward, and accordingly presswheel 55 moves downward to press the cable. For a thin cable 100, asshown in FIG. 7, manual rotate section 51 is rotated a greater number oftimes to shift press wheel 55 downward by a longer distance in order topress thin cable 100. For a thick cable 200, as shown in FIG. 8, manualrotate section 51 is rotated a smaller number of times to shift presswheel 55 by a shorter distance to press thick cable 200. Regardless ofthe diameter of the cable, i.e., for both of thin cable 100 and thickcable 200, the cable can be pressed with a constant pressure. It is thuspossible to avoid decrease in transport speed and upward and downwarddeviation of a cable which is being transported.

The cable can more stably be pressed by providing a plurality of presswheels 55 in cable support unit 8 as shown in FIG. 9. A transport belt70 can further be used as shown in FIG. 10 that moves with transport ofa cable while being wound around press wheels 55 or in contact therewithto stabilize the pressure on the cable. In addition, this cable supportunit 8 facilitates attachment and detachment of a cable as shown in FIG.11 by turning movable section 57 about turn axis 58 away from the cable.

Object transport apparatus 2 of the second embodiment is secured to apole as shown in FIG. 12 by mounting object transport unit 2 on asupport platform 210 that is fixed on a pole 160. Pulleys 190 and 220are used for preventing a cable from excessively bending. Objecttransport apparatus 2 is used in the state as shown in FIG. 23.

Although a cable is exemplarily used as the object being transported byobject transport apparatus 2 according to this embodiment, the sameeffect achieved for the cable discussed above can-be obtained for othersignal lines such as optical fiber cable and the like. In particular,for the optical fiber cable having a smaller tensile strength, deviationof the optical fiber cable cannot be prevented by forcibly exerting atensile force on the cable. Object transport apparatus 2 of the presentinvention can then be used to transport the optical fiber cable withoutthe need to avoid deviation of the cable by applying a tensile forcethereto, and thus there is less possibility of breaking the opticalfiber cable.

Object transport apparatus 2 according to this embodiment can also beused for transporting an object having a fixed diameter such asinflexible steel pipe, tube, timber and the like or an object having asubstantially constant cross section such as square timber, square pipeand the like.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the present invention is now described inconjunction with FIGS. 13 and 14. An object transport apparatus 3 of thethird embodiment further includes a press section 69 as shown in FIGS.13 and 14 in addition to the components of object transport apparatus 1of the first embodiment for allowing the apparatus to move up and downwith a pole 160 being caught therein and pressed. This press unit 69 hasa sheet-like arm 60 with respective ends provided on surfaces 15 a and15 b respectively of a pedestal 10. Arm 60 has a mechanism to bend ataxes of turn 61 each located at a predetermined distance from the pointat which arm 60 is fixed on surface 15 a or 15 b as if arm 60 is presseddown toward pedestal 10. Arm 60 has a spring 63 for pushing a wheel 66toward pedestal 10 so as to press pole 160 at three points. Spring 63thus presses supporting section 64 toward pedestal 10. A rotational axis65 is then pressed toward pedestal 10 and accordingly press wheel 66presses an object. When object transport apparatus 3 is used, as shownin FIG. 15, transport belts 40 a and 40 b forming the V-shape and presswheel 66 are brought into contact with pole 160 and frictional forcesbetween transfer belts 40 a and 40 b and press wheel 66 and pole 160cause object transport apparatus 3 to climb along pole 160 standingupright.

By employing such a method as explained above of using object transportapparatus 3 of this embodiment, an electric cable, rope and the like canbe transported to the head of pole 160 without human power. If thepressing force of spring 63 is sufficiently great, the object transportapparatus can climb up pole 160 as shown in FIG. 16 while pushing hardagainst pole 160 even to the top part of pole 160 where the diameter issmaller. At this time, pole 160 is caught by extension of spring 63according to the diameter of pole 160 through the states from the oneshown in FIG. 13 to the one in FIG. 4.

It has been required for a work person to climb up a pole to fix asafety rope to a support unit. On the other hand, object transportapparatus 3 can be used according to the method explained above ininstallation of an overhead cable on pole 160 for fixing a safety rope80 as shown in FIG. 15 to the head of pole 160.

Alternatively, two object transport apparatuses can be used as shown inFIG. 17. Specifically, an object transport system 4 is constituted ofone object transport apparatus 3 moving up and down along pole 160 andthe other object transport apparatus 2 fixed perpendicularly to pole160, with a triangular plate 3 a therebetween. A cable is conveyed tothe upper part of pole 160 and thereafter transported in a directionperpendicular to pole 160.

By employing such a method of use, as shown in FIG. 18, object transportapparatus 3 can climb up to the head of pole 160 by means of frictionalforces between pole 160 and transport belts 40 a and 40 b and presswheel 66 while object transport apparatus 2 at the head of pole 16 cantransport a cable 200 perpendicularly to pole 160. As a result, comparedwith the conventional method shown in FIG. 23 in which cable 200 istransported while being pulled in the region of the bottom part of pole160, a smaller gravity is exerted from the cable on object transportsystem 4. Accordingly, the load on object transport system 4 is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 19, object transport apparatus 3 pressed against pole160 can be combined with a basket 3 b with triangular plate 3 atherebetween, basket 3b being fixed perpendicularly to transportapparatus 3. This use enables tools and the like to be supplied to aworker at the head part of pole 160.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the speeds of rotation of transport belts40 a and 40 b can be made different from each other to allow thetransport apparatus to climb up pole 160 in a spiral manner. This use ofthe transport apparatus enables a wire, rope and the like, for example,to be wound around the pole in a spiral manner. The rope, wire and thelike installed on pole 160 in this manner thus will never sway if it isblown by the wind.

As shown in FIG. 21, an object transport system 6 constituted of twoobject transport apparatuses 1 can be used to climb up pole 160 whilecatching pole 160 therein and pressing pole 160. By using the objecttransport system in this way, transport belts 40 a and 40 b of twoobject transport apparatuses 3 can be brought into contact with pole 160to cause a greater frictional force compared with use of one objecttransport apparatus 3 having transport belts 40 a and 40 b and wheel 66of press section 69 being in contact with pole 160. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 22, an object transport apparatus 9 having a basket 3 bwith a triangular plate 3 a therebetween can transport a person and thelike to the head of pole 160.

The object transport apparatus according to this embodiment is operatedby a wireless system such as the one enabling remote control from theground for moving the object transport apparatus while pressing theapparatus against the pole.

According to the first to the third embodiments discussed above, theobject transport apparatuses are described to use the transport beltscirculating while keeping contact with a plurality of wheels or windingtherearound. However, the same effects as those of the first to thethird embodiments can be achieved by a cable transport apparatus havingno transport belt and having a V-shaped space formed by two wheels withrespective rotational axes crossing each other so as to transport acable in the V-shaped space.

The present invention has been described in detail, and it will clearlybe understood that the description is for illustration only and does notintend limitation, the spirit and scope of the invention being limitedby the attached scope of claims only.

Industrial Applicability

The object transport apparatus of the present invention is used fortransporting objects having respective cross sections different in sizefrom each other and particularly used for transporting electric cableshaving different diameters respectively. The apparatus is especiallysuitable for transporting a cable such as optical fiber cable that has aweak tensile strength and thus deviation of the cable cannot be avoidedby forcibly applying tensile force.

What is claimed is:
 1. An object transport apparatus for transporting anobject by frictionally contacting a surface of the object, saidapparatus comprising: a pedestal (10) having a first surface (15 a) anda second surface (15 b) continuing with a predetermined angletherebetween; a transport unit (5) provided on said first and secondsurfaces (15 a, 15 b) respectively and adapted to frictionally contactthe surface of the object (100, 200) to transport the object (100, 200);and a drive mechanism connected to said transport unit and adapted torotationally drive said transport unit so as to transport the object;wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a first spur gear (14 b) and afirst bevel gear (12 b) rotating about a common rotational axis by adrive force; a second bevel gear (22 b) engaging with said first bevelgear (12 b); a second spur gear (14 a) engaging with said first spurgear (14 b); a third bevel gear (12 a) integrally rotating about arotational axis common to said second spur gear (14 a); and a fourthbevel gear (22 a) engaging with said third bevel gear (12 a); andwherein said transport unit (5) includes: first power transmission meanshaving a plurality of first cylindrical members (25 a, 25 c) rotatingrespectively about a plurality of first rotational axes (20 a, 20 c)substantially perpendicular to said first surface (15 a) and in parallelwith each other, and second power transmission means having a pluralityof second cylindrical members (25 b, 25 d) rotating respectively about aplurality of second rotational axes (20 b, 20 d) substantiallyperpendicular to said second surface (15 b) and in parallel with eachother, and first and second belt-like transport members (40 a, 40 b)contacting or winding around respective Peripheries of said first andsecond cylindrical members (25 a, 25 c, 25 b, 25 d) of said first andsecond power transmission means respectively to circulate around saidfirst and second power transmission means.
 2. The object transportapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first belt-like transportmember (40 a) has a side of a transport surface located on said pedestal(10) and contacting the object (100, 200) and said second belt-liketransport member (40 b) has a side of a transport surface located onsaid pedestal (10) and contacting the object (100, 200), said respectivesides being in parallel and adjacent to each other.
 3. The objecttransport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising objectpress means (8) including a third cylindrical transport member (55) thathas a peripheral surface pressing the object (100, 200) and that isprovided to rotate following transport of the object (100, 200).
 4. Theobject transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a plurality ofsaid object press means (8) are provided along the direction oftransporting the object (100, 200).
 5. The object transport apparatusaccording to claim 4, further comprising a third belt-like transportmember (70) circulating around said third cylindrical transport member(55) following transport of the object while winding around orcontacting said third cylindrical transport member (55).
 6. The objecttransport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said object pressmeans (8) includes a support section (56) fixed to said pedestal (10)and a press section (57) provided to turn around on one end of saidsupport section (56), and wherein said press section (57) turns aroundto recede for stopping said pressing.
 7. The object transport apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein said object press means (8) includes anexternal thread section (52) and an internal thread section, and saidobject transport apparatus further includes object press forceadjustment means for adjusting a length of said external thread section(52) screwed into said internal thread section in order to contact theobject (100, 200) by said press means with a substantially constantpressure.
 8. A method of using a first one of said object transportapparatus according to claim 3 for moving said first object transportapparatus (3) up and down along a pole-like long object (160) standingon the ground substantially perpendicularly to the ground, comprising:holding said long object (160) with a predetermined press force at threelocations of said first and second belt-like transport members (40 a, 40b) and said object press means (8) of the first object transportapparatus (3), and rotationally driving said drive mechanism (7) togenerate a frictional force between said first and second belt-liketransport members (40 a, 40 b) and said object press means (8) and saidlong object (160) and move the said first object transport apparatus upand down along said long object (160).
 9. The method according to claim8, using said first object transport apparatus (3) and a second one ofsaid object transport apparatus (2) that is fixed with respect to saidfirst object transport apparatus (3) to transport a second object in adirection substantially perpendicularly to the direction of transportingby said first object transport apparatus (3), and said second objecttransport apparatus (2) transports a second object (200) substantiallyperpendicularly to said long object.
 10. The method of using the objecttransport apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ratio betweenrespective rotational speeds of said first and second power transmissionmeans is changed to move said object transport apparatus (3) helicallyup and down along said long object.
 11. A method of using two of theobject transport apparatus according to claim 1, for moving said twoobject transport apparatuses (6) up and down along a pole-like longobject (160) standing on the ground substantially perpendicularly to theground comprising: placing said two object transport apparatuses (6)opposite to each other such that said first and second belt-liketransport members (40 a, 40 b) of each said object transport apparatus(6) form a contact surface contacting the long object, and whereinrespective contact surfaces contacting the long object face each other,and pressing the long object (160) held between the first and secondbelt-like transport members (40 a, 40 b) of said two object transportapparatuses (6) and rotationally driving said drive mechanism (7) togenerate a frictional force of said transport members and move saidobject transport apparatuses up and down along the long object.
 12. Anobject transport apparatus for transporting an object by frictionallycontacting a surface of the object, said apparatus comprising: apedestal (10) having first and second surfaces (15 a, 15 b) continuingwith a predetermined angle therebetween; a transport unit (5) providedon said first and second surfaces (15 a, 15 b) respectively and adaptedto frictionally contact the surface of the object (100, 200) totransport the object, wherein said transport unit (5) includes: firstpower transmission means having a first cylindrical member (25 a)rotating about a first rotational axis (20 a) substantiallyperpendicular to said first surface (15 a), and second powertransmission means having a second cylindrical member (25 b) rotatingabout a second rotational axis (20 b) crossing said first rotationalaxis (20 a) and substantially perpendicular to said second surface (15b); and a drive mechanism connected to said transport unit and adaptedto rotationally drive said transport unit so as to transport the object,wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a first spur gear (14 b) and afirst bevel gear (12 b) rotating about a common rotational axis by adrive force, a second bevel gear (22 b) engaging with said first bevelgear (12 b), a second spur gear (14 a) engaging with said first spurgear (14 b), a third bevel gear (12 a) integrally rotating about arotational axis common to said second spur gear (14 a), and a fourthbevel gear (22 a) engaging with said third bevel gear (12 a).
 13. Theobject transport apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said firstcylindrical member (25 a) of said first power transmission means has anedge on said pedestal (10) and said second cylindrical member (25 b) ofsaid second power transmission means has an edge on said pedestal (10),said respective edges being adjacent to each other.